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Written by Barb J Williams

The overall topic of dealing with death is somewhat morbid. Dying, deaths, burials, all of these are associated with sadness and loss. When someone close to us is gone, it creates a void. For many, closure is found in the celebration of life with a ceremony of choice. Funerals, coffins, mortuaries, headstones, all are associated with an extremely expensive way to put the dead to rest. Like death and taxes, funerals are unavoidable for many people. However, simply due to the finite amount of dedicated space, an alternative seems inevitable. That alternative became cremation.

With cremation, a mortician is still legally responsible to take custody of your loved one. In most states, it is the only legal way to dispose of the deceased. Now, however, many mortuaries offer crematoria services as well. In addition to mortuaries, many veterinarian offices provide a burial alternative for your pets as well.

One of the biggest differences between burials and cremations is the choice of where the final remains or cremains are kept. If the choice is still burial or interment, with cremains, the space used is much smaller. Ashes are delivered in a plastic bag inside a square cardboard box. Alternative urns for ashes to be buried can be simple and plain, made of wood or clay. If ground space is at a premium or unavailable, crypts or vaults are usually available. Height is the only limitation in these types of storage units.

For those who do not wish to have the cremains buried, there are many alternative vessels available. For humans and pets, the choices of urns are as varied as leaves on the trees. Simple cremation urns are single colored with no ornamentation. These can be made of clay, rock, or marble. Personalization is available, but not required.

For those who wish to display the urn, one must choose whether it will blend in with the décor, or stand out for what it is, an urn with the ashes of a lost loved one. For an urn that blends in with its surroundings, simple yet beautiful selections come in a wide variety of colors and stone patterns. The décor or design can be as elaborate as desired.

For urns which are meant to be seen as urns, the combinations of material, designs, inscriptions, and ornaments are practically endless. Bronze, four inch thick granite, with a laser engraved color photograph would be acceptable for pets, but not usually for people. These types of memorial markers are meant for outside use as opposed to the vase like urns kept on the mantle.

The sheer difference in price between a burial and a cremation ceremony offers many loved ones left behind with an alternative to the debt resultant funerals of the past. Hopefully the morbid duties of dealing with passed friends and family will be less draining, mentally and financially.

For pictures and more information, please visit: http://perpetualpetmemorials.com